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APS Type-1

Abstract

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NORD is very grateful to Noel K. Maclaren, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Weill College of Medicine of Cornell University, Director of BioSeek Endocrine Clinics, for assistance in the preparation of this report.

Synonyms of APS Type-1

APS 1

autoimmune-polyendocrine-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome

autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type 1

PGA syndrome type 1

polyglandular autoimmune syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

No subdivisions found.

General Discussion

APS-1 is a rare and complex inherited disorder of immune-cell dysfunction with multiple autoimmunities. It presents as a constellation of symptoms and side-effects with potentially life-threatening endocrine gland and gastro-intestinal dysfunctions. The acronym of APS-1 stands for autoimmune polyglandular syndrome.

A condition is said to be "autoimmune" when antibodies and immune cells are launched by the body against one or several antigens of its own tissues. Since most of the target antigens have now been discovered, the corresponding auto-antibodies can often be measured in the blood as markers for the ongoing autoimmune disease to which they correspond.

APS-1 is caused by a large number of mutations of the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. (For further information about the AIRE gene, please go to the 'Causes' section of this report.) HLA-DR/DQ genes also play a role in predisposing to which of the component disease the patient actually develops.

APS Type-1 Resources

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